Diploma is "a success" (From Penarth Times)

Diploma is "a success"

A PENARTH headmaster has hailed the new Welsh Baccalaureate as a resounding success after his school bucked a national trend reflecting a high drop-out rate in the exam.

St Cyres headteacher Brian Lightman said: "The Welsh Baccalaureate diploma has brought about nothing less than a transformation in the ethos and quality of our sixth form provision.

"In addition to achieving excellent A-level results, our students are benefiting enormously from a balanced and rounded education which provides them with precisely those skills employers say they seek.

"They have become more confident and independent learners and make a substantial contribution to a whole host of community service projects within the school and the wider community.

"I am convinced that employers and university tutors will notice the headstart these students have."

St Cyres was one of 19 schools in Wales selected to pilot the new Welsh Baccalaureate qualification.

The national media has highlighted a high drop-out rate in the new qualification - but this trend was not reflected at St Cyres.

Some 65 percent of the year group completed all elements of the diploma and the overall pass rate for the Welsh Baccalaureate was 95 percent.

Daniel Wiggins, who passed the new exam and got A grade A-levels in English, History and Politics, said: "The exam is based partly on components of A-level courses plus additional elements.

"It did mean quite a bit of extra work but I enjoyed doing it and found it worthwhile."

Daniel has a place at Cardiff University to study law.

Caroline Stewart got three A grade A-levels in Maths, Biology and Chemistry in addition to the Welsh Baccalaureate. She said: "I"m delighted with the way things have gone. I now have a place to study medicine."

Mr Lightman attributed the youngsters" success to the emphasis attached to the role of the learning coaches - a team of handpicked tutors who interview each student individually and guide them through the requirements of the Bac.

Mr Lightman added: "Completion of all elements of the Bac requires a very substantial commitment from each student and a strong framework of tutorial support.

"If any one element is incomplete, students cannot be awarded the diploma."

The diploma is rated by the university admissions authority UCAS as the equivalent of an A grade A-level pass, which students at St Cyres have gained in addition to the A-levels they would normally have taken.

Students who completed the diploma had to undertake an additional five hours of study per week throughout their two years.

The diploma involved an in-depth investigation of an issues relating to Wales, Europe and the world, key skills such as numeracy, communication, working with others, and information technology, as well as community service and a language element.